DoT wants providers to disclose checked bag fees

BTN News
Thursday, 19 January 2017

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) is proposing airlines and ticket agents must  disclose to consumers the fees for a first checked bag, a second checked bag, and a carry-on bag when providing airfare information.
 

Those services historically were included in the airfare but many airlines now charge a separate fee for transporting bags.

“Consumers should be able to pick the most affordable options based on their needs.  Displaying the fees for transporting carry on and checked bags alongside the fare will make the cost of travel more transparent,” said US Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx.

Under the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM), the baggage fees that are disclosed by airlines and ticket agents must include discounts the consumer would be entitled to if they provided relevant information such as frequent flyer status.  


The SNPRM also proposes to require airlines to provide baggage fee information to all ticket agents that receive and distribute the airline’s fare and schedule information so that ticket agents are able to provide customer-specific fee quotes to passengers.   

In addition to proposing disclosure of bag fees along with the airfare, the Department’s proposal requests comment on whether fees such as change and cancellation fees or other optional service fees should also be disclosed by airlines and ticket agents when providing airfare information.

DoT wants providers to disclose checked bag fees

BTN News
Thursday, 19 January 2017

The US Department of Transportation (DoT) is proposing airlines and ticket agents must  disclose to consumers the fees for a first checked bag, a second checked bag, and a carry-on bag when providing airfare information.
 

Those services historically were included in the airfare but many airlines now charge a separate fee for transporting bags.

“Consumers should be able to pick the most affordable options based on their needs.  Displaying the fees for transporting carry on and checked bags alongside the fare will make the cost of travel more transparent,” said US Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx.

Under the Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM), the baggage fees that are disclosed by airlines and ticket agents must include discounts the consumer would be entitled to if they provided relevant information such as frequent flyer status.  


The SNPRM also proposes to require airlines to provide baggage fee information to all ticket agents that receive and distribute the airline’s fare and schedule information so that ticket agents are able to provide customer-specific fee quotes to passengers.   

In addition to proposing disclosure of bag fees along with the airfare, the Department’s proposal requests comment on whether fees such as change and cancellation fees or other optional service fees should also be disclosed by airlines and ticket agents when providing airfare information.